Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is widespread in nature. Most mercury exposure to humans is due to the ingestion of contaminated fish, the release of mercury from dental amalgam, or occupational exposure.

Mercury Toxicity and Treatment: Important Facts

Mercury toxicity to humans varies according to the type of mercury concerned, the dose, the age of the person, and the route and rate of exposure. Mercury vapors inhaled usually target the brain, whereas mercuric salts primarily damage the kidney and gut lining. Also, remember that significant acute exposures to mercury can cause severe pneumonitis, which in severe cases can be fatal. However, low-grade chronic exposures cause subtler symptoms
Mercury toxicity treatment primarily consists of removing the patient from the source of exposure, chelation therapy, and supportive care.

Mercury Poisoning Symptoms in Adults & Children

Symptoms of mercury poisoning generally include fatigue, sluggishness, depression, headaches, and irritability. Inhalation of mercury vapors also causes respiratory symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, burning pain and tightness in the chest. Some people may also experience pulmonary edema, fibrosis, and pneumonia.
Mercury poisoning can affect adults, children, and infants alike. Some of the common mercury toxicity symptoms are discussed briefly below:

Mercury poisoning symptoms in adults

Difficulties related to hearing and speech

muscle weakness

lack of coordination

nerve loss in face and hands

vision changes

trouble walking

Mercury poisoning symptoms in children and infants

Mercury poisoning is also found to disrupt fetal and initial childhood development. Infants and small children who have been exposed to elevated mercury levels may have delays in:

fine motor skills

cognition

language and speech development

visual-spatial awareness

Causes of Mercury Toxicity

Seafood consumption and the use of dental amalgam are the most common cause of mercury poisoning. Other causes include direct or environmental exposure to mercury from any of the following sources:

exposure to certain types of jewelry

mining for gold

some vaccinations

contact with a broken house thermometer or blood pressure monitoring device

exposure to old paints

inhalation of toxic air in areas near coal factories

Health Effects of Mercury Exposure

Methylmercury and Elemental mercury are fatal to the central as well as peripheral nervous systems. Mercury vapor inhalation can also produce damaging effects on kidneys, lungs, and damage nervous, immune, and digestive systems. Apart from these, the inorganic salts of mercury are destructive to the eyes, skin, GI tract, etc., and may also cause kidney toxicity if ingested.

Prevention Tips to Reduce Effects of Mercury Exposure

There are many ways to prevent adverse health effects due to mercury poisoning. These include stopping the usage of mercury in gold mining, promoting clean energy, reducing the extraction of mercury and phasing out mercury-containing products such as batteries, mercury thermometers, blood pressure monitors using mercury, mercury lamps, electric switches, dental amalgam used for dental fillings, certain skin-lightening products containing mercury.

Mercury Toxicity Treatment

Chelation therapy is the recommended treatment for any heavy metal toxicity, including mercury. Before opting for a chelation treatment, our center’s doctors carry out a comprehensive diagnostic work-up, laboratory testing, and various treatments to tackle different aspects of the disease. Any heavy metal toxicity, including mercury, can become fatal if not given expert treatment. Therefore, always consult experts in the field if you happen to suffer from any heavy metal toxicity.

Dr. Allan Lieberman is the founder and the medical director of the Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM) that specializes in Environmental Medicine and Toxicology. Dr. Lieberman has been practicing medicine for the last 58 years, and as a research scientist, he has published many research articles. He is a highly-respected member of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine and also specializes in Pediatrics.

Disclaimer:
All material provided on the Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine web site is for educational purposes only. Access to the web site does not create a doctor-patient relationship nor should the information contained on the web site be considered specific medical advice for any person, patient and/or medical condition. Consult a physician regarding the application of any opinions or recommendations from this website, for any symptom or medical condition. Dr. Lieberman specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that is or may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, resulting from use or application pertaining to any of the information provided on the web site.